Patch 1.1.0 Feedback Thread

Since the xbox360 release many years ago, NHL has always been a fluid, realistic, and fun game.  I’m a traditionalist, where playing online/versus competitive is where I spend most of my time often cracking the top 100 reaching as high as 37 in NHL22. 

I am extremely confused by this years game. I’m open to changes and advancements as evolving is crucial, however, the gameplay changes I find not only ineffective, but a bit bizarre.  Here are two that stand out to me. 

1. Button dekes - These are ineffective in competitive play and analog puck control has become increasingly ineffective as a result. Also, the back hit with the right analog while controlling the puck is beyond bizarre to me and has been accidentally clicked often. I understand you can go back to last years controls, but I believe evolving with the game is important. 

2. Protect puck - Removing this feature with the A button makes using angles more challenging and makes good larger players less effective (Barkov, Kopitar, Matthews, Thatchuk, etc). The game seems to have reverted back to rewarding speed over overall talent/skill set. 

Other changes such as how to dump the puck, hitting buttons, etc, aren’t a big deal but again I’m wondering who is banging the table for these kinds of changes? If the focus was more on fine tuning gameplay, fluidity, animations, etc, as opposed to changing things that seem like many didn’t want/need changed, the result would have been much better. 

My concern is that hockey traditionalists are being left behind for arcade-like game modes. I understand you have to follow the money, but fear any short term gain will not outweigh the long term success that the NHL franchise has always had. 

Sincerely,

- A concerned and lifelong EA NHL supporter